The Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, has vowed to investigate alleged extortion by officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
In a statement signed by the NIS spokesman, Sunday James, he threatened to deal decisively with any one caught in the act.
The CG said his attention had been drawn to “an allegation of extortion by some Officers and Men of the NIS manning the nation’s Port of entries particularly along Borno State border axis of Darman-Gubio-Magumeri-Maiduguri Road and Munguno-Maiduguri Road.”
“In the light of the above, the CGI has directed for an investigation into the alleged corrupt practice.
“He has also directed Comptrollers to properly brief personnel under their Commands and to take practical steps to ensure Officers and Men adhere strictly to their official mandates and steer clear of any act tantamount to extortion,” James said in the statement.
Similarly, there are allegations of extortion at the Lagos passport office in Ikoyi with some applicants accusing officers of demanding for gratification.
A source at the passport office said people were being asked to pay N42,000 instead of N24,500 for lost passport.
The source who spoke with our correspondent said: “Again, why must people pay three thousands for files to be produced? Three women came to the office and were told that files were ready for production but there is no compliance.
“Compliance is the language they coin when they came. If you don’t pay N3,000 you don’t get your passport. There is so much impunity in the system. The official fee for passport that deals with married women is N17,500 and now they are charging N35,000”.
The immigration spokesman called on the general public, especially travellers to report any act of misconduct by officers and men of the Service through: 08119753844 and [email protected].
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